Chrysalis trotted through the dimly lit halls of the Crystal Castle, the only light being provided by the evening sky, which refracted off the crystal walls. She wore the traditional navy blue armor that changelings wore, spiked shoulder pads and all, fitted to her proportions she'd foregone her helmet.
Draped over her back was Shining Armor, also in his gold and purple armor, barely able to keep his eyes open. He yawned, tears rolling down his cheeks.
Chrysalis smirked. "Now, now. Please do try to stay awake. I don't think Cadance would appreciate not being able to properly greet you after so much time away."
Shining chuckled. "I think I'll take that chance. Maybe she'll see fit to kiss her darling prince awake." His teasing words received an eye roll.
"So be it oh 'darling prince'. Just make sure you don't fall off. You'll have to walk on your own four hooves if you do."
The guard captain merely blew a weak raspberry in response.
"How mature."
Their short trip came to an end at the entrance of the throne room, where Queen Cadance sat on her throne, a large pile of mostly finished paperwork as she read and signed the documents that floated in front of her.
"Caaaaadieee! We're back!" Shining called out in slurred speech.
"Shiny! Chrissy!" She ran up to the duo and practically attacked them with nuzzles. "How are my favorite Shield and Sword?"
Chrysalis preened under Cadance's affection. "The campaign went fine, if that's what you're asking. The Abyssinians wisely surrendered after a sufficient show of force."
Shining threw in his own two bits. "Yup! Pretty much no casualties, and the Emperor is ready to discuss terms."
"That's great! I'll start writing up plans for negotiations tomorrow!"
Armor nodded. "Alright. We'll go write up the report and-"
"No." Her response was immediate and left no room for argument.
"No?"
"No. It's late and we're all tired. So we're all going to bed, and I'm gonna spoil you both."
Before either could protest, she'd teleported them to their bed chamber and stripped them out of their armor.
"Now, will you two workaholics come to bed, or will I have to drag you?"
Shining sighed. "Alright." He offered no resistance when Cadance pulled him into bed.
"Aren't you going to join us Chrissy?
"*sigh* Of course, my queen."
The changeling crawled onto the massive bed and let out a sigh of satisfaction as Cadance wrapped them up in her wings.
"Looks like Shining's already asleep."
The Queen of Love placed a kiss on her lover's forehead.
"So, anything you wanna talk about, Lovebug?"
The former queen's ears twitched as Cadence's hoof trailed through her mane.
"How are the children?" She asked.
"Flurry and Pharynx both are asleep. While Thorax has snuck out to see that one guard he's sweet on, Flash… something or other, still thinks we don't know. Ah-ah-ah! Don't give me that look. You can ground him tomorrow. Right now, all you need to do is let me spoil you. Ok?" Cadence punctuated her demand by planting a kiss on her lover's cheek.
Chrysalis huffed. "Fine. But I won't like it."
The Princess of Love pouted. "Chrissyyyyyy! You know I hate it when you lie!"
Chrysalis smirked. "I hate it when you overfeed me, but I still have to deal with that!"
"Mmhm. True. You could stand to lose a few pounds."
"The nerve! I'm still as spry and elegant as I've ever been!"
Cadance giggled. "You know I love you both, right?"
"It's what you tell us everyday."
"And I'll keep telling you!"
There was a brief silence as the two lay awake.
"Cadance."
"Yeah?"
"I love you too."
Crackship Fluff: The Kids
Author's Note
Sequel to Crackship Fluff
Crackship Fluff: The Kids
"Hey Pharynx."
The aforementioned changeling turned his focus from his game of solitaire and towards his nine year old stepsister, Flurry Heart. She was sitting on the living room floor with her favorite toy soldier tucked under her wing, in front of an open book full of family photos.
"What'd ya want, brat?"
"Why are all my baby pictures so creepy?"
The alicorn filly turned the book toward her brother to show him said pictures.
Each image of the foal had a heavy piercing gaze that made observers uneasy. She was still objectively cute, but that didn't change the fact that he'd seen more light in the eyes of a dead fish.
Pharynx looked away from the book and straight into Flurry's eyes.
"That's because you didn't have a soul until you were four."
The filly pouted. "That's not true!"
The older royal shrugged. "If you don't believe the truth, then I don't know what to tell you."
"If I didn't have a soul, how come I have one now, huh? Explain that!"
"Easy. You stoll Sunburst's. Why else do you think he doesn't babysit you anymore?"
"But you said Starlight stole it when they got married!"
It was at that point Thorax walked in.
"Are you telling Flurry that she didn't have a soul again?"
The older of the two changelings had already returned to his game of solitaire. "It ain't my fault she can't accept the truth."
Flurry blew a raspberry at him. "And it ain't my fault you can't accept that you're a jerk."
Thorax sighed. "You wanna go get some ice cream, Flurry?"
The filly stood up and pranced in place excitedly "I want Neapolitan!"
"I want chocolate." Pharynx chimed in.
Thorax pulled Flurry into a hug as they both half-heartedly glared at him.
"I'm soooorry. But ice cream is for nice changelings who aren't mean to their little sister."
The older bug boy rolled his eyes, but smiled nonetheless.
"Fiiiine. I'm soooorry Flurry.
"Harrumph!"
"And you were both with a soul."
"Hmmph."
"And you're *ack!* best princess."
She snorted, but was at the very least satisfied. "At least say it like you believe it. Jerk."
Thorax giggled at the duo's antics before heading out to the hallway. "Come on. If we leave now, we can be back before dad realizes we left."
Flurry tilted her head.v"Wouldn't flying be faster?"
"I like walking."
Pharynx scoffed. "Along your coltfriend's patrol route more like. What's his name? Flash Fire?"
Thorax blushed a bright green as he protested. "His name is Flash Sentry, and he is not my coltfriend!"
His brother smirked. "Oh riiiight. You're more into dragons, aren't you?"
"Pharynx!" His face was completely green now.
